Occlusive skin covering

Abstract

A device for concealing an area of skin is disclosed. The disclosed device can also be used to deliver to the concealed skin area one or more beneficial agents. The device is designed as a laminate having a removable release liner, an occlusive layer, and a finish layer. In some delivery platform embodiments, the occlusive layer includes a reservoir for holding and releasing the one or more beneficial agents to the user's skin. The device is applied to the skin by removing the release liner and placing the exposed adhesive layer of the occlusive device directly on the user's skin.

1 . An occlusive device for covering a skin imperfection, wherein the device comprises:
 an occlusive layer having first and second surfaces, a non-adhesive finish layer applied to the occlusive layer, an adhesive layer applied to the occlusive layer, and a removable release layer adhered to the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is select with predetermined adhesive properties to work in concert with the thickness and tensile strength of the release liner such that the adhesive bonds weakly to the release liner to allow it to be removed but sufficiently bonds to skin to retain the occlusive layer on a user's skin until removed by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the finish layer is applied to the first surface and the adhesive layer is applied to the second surface. 
     
     
         3 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second surfaces of the occlusive layer define a thickness and wherein the thickness is variable. 
     
     
         4 . The occlusive device of  claim 3 , wherein the occlusive layer has a central zone and a peripheral zone and the thickness of the peripheral zone tapers to form a peripheral edge. 
     
     
         5 . The occlusive device of  claim 4 , wherein the second surface is substantially planar and the first surface tapers to the second surface as it extends from the central zone to the peripheral zone. 
     
     
         6 . The occlusive device of  claim 4 , wherein the central zone is from about 0.010 to about 0.40 inch thick. 
     
     
         7 . The occlusive device of  claim 4 , wherein the peripheral zone has an edge thickness of about 0.001 to about 0.003 inch. 
     
     
         8 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is textured. 
     
     
         9 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the occlusive layer comprises a polymer composition. 
     
     
         10 . The occlusive device of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer composition comprises one or more of tackifiers, plasticizers, fillers, antioxidants, stabilizers, pigments, curatives, or crosslinkers. 
     
     
         11 . The occlusive device of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer composition comprises a thermoset elastomer. 
     
     
         12 . The occlusive device of  claim 11 , wherein the thermoset elastomer is silicone. 
     
     
         13 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the occlusive layer has a Shore A hardness of 1 to 20. 
     
     
         14 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the occlusive layer is translucent and waterproof. 
     
     
         15 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the occlusive layer comprises beneficial agents. 
     
     
         16 . The occlusive device of  claim 5 , wherein the occlusive layer further comprises a reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The occlusive device of  claim 16 , wherein the reservoir is an internal space within the central zone and wherein the second surface comprises an opening forming a passageway to the internal space. 
     
     
         18 . The occlusive device of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir comprises beneficial agents. 
     
     
         19 . The occlusive device of  claim 18 , wherein the central zone comprises an opening for receiving a preformed delivery platform comprising beneficial agents. 
     
     
         20 . The occlusive device of  claim 19 , wherein the delivery platform is made from the same material as the occlusive layer. 
     
     
         21 . The occlusive device of  claim 19 , wherein the delivery platform is translucent. 
     
     
         22 . The occlusive device of  claim 19 , wherein the beneficial agents include nutrients, pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the finish layer is absorbent. 
     
     
         24 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the finish layer is applied by spraying, dipping, or brushing. 
     
     
         25 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the finish layer is applied as a preformed layer. 
     
     
         26 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the finish layer is about 0.001 to 0.003 inches thick. 
     
     
         27 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the finish layer has a durometer of from about 70 to about 80 Shore A hardness. 
     
     
         28 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the finish layer comprises a polyurethane composition. 
     
     
         29 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         30 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is removed from a user's skin without adhesive residue on the skin. 
     
     
         31 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive has a peel adhesion force of from about 300 to about 900 g/cm. 
     
     
         32 . The occlusive device of  claim 31 , wherein the adhesive has a peel adhesion force of from about 500 to about 700 g/cm. 
     
     
         33 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises beneficial ingredients. 
     
     
         34 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the release liner is made from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         35 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the release liner is made from waxed paper, fluoro-silicone coated polyester, uncoated polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyolefin. 
     
     
         36 . The occlusive device of  claim 1 , wherein the occlusive device further comprises a removable translucent protective layer. 
     
     
         37 . The occlusive device of  claim 36 , wherein the protective layer is applied to the finish layer. 
     
     
         38 . The occlusive device of  claim 37 , wherein the protective layer is coated with an adhesive that adheres the protective layer to the finish layer. 
     
     
         39 . The occlusive device of  claim 38 , wherein the adhesive is water-soluble. 
     
     
         40 . The occlusive device of  claim 39 , wherein the protective layer is removed by treating with an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         41 . The occlusive device of  claim 40 , wherein removal of the protective layer leaves the first surface of the occlusive layer without sufficient adhesive residue to interfere with application of cosmetic compositions. 
     
     
         42 . A method of applying an occlusive device comprising the steps of:
 exposing a second surface having an adhesive layer adhered thereto of an occlusive layer having first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces define a thickness, and wherein the first surface of the occlusive layer mimics the appearance of human skin; and   adhering the second surface to an application site of skin of a user.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the step of exposing a second surface having an adhesive layer includes removing a release layer from the occlusive device. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the step of exposing a second surface having an adhesive layer includes exposing a reservoir. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the step of adhering the second surface includes placing the reservoir on the application site of skin of a user, thereby allowing the delivery of a beneficial agent to the skin of the user. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein a non-adhesive finish layer is adjacent to the first surface of the occlusive layer. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising the step of applying cosmetic compositions to the finish layer. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the occlusive layer has a central zone and a peripheral zone and wherein the thickness of the peripheral zone tapers to form a peripheral edge. 
     
     
         49 . A method of manufacturing an occlusive device comprising:
 providing a polymer composition;   injecting polymer into a mold, wherein the mode comprises spaced apart first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface is substantially concave and textured to mimic the appearance of human skin and the second surface is substantially planar; and   allowing the polymer composition to cure, wherein the cured polymer composition has physical material properties simulating human skin and has a convex surface and an opposing planar surface.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the polymer composition comprises one or more of tackifiers, plasticizers, fillers, antioxidants, stabilizers, pigments, curatives, or crosslinkers. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of applying a non-adhesive finish layer over the convex surface. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of adhering an adhesive layer to the planar surface. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of adhering a removeable release liner to the adhesive layer.